| Teams | 64 |
|---|---|
| Finals site | |
| Champions | UCLA (10th (11th overall) title) |
| Runner-up | California (9th WCWS Appearance) |
| Winning coach | Sue Enquist (5th title) |
| MOP | Keira Goerl (UCLA) |
The 2003 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twenty-second annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 2003, sixty-four Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of eight teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2003 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 22 through May 25 and marked the conclusion of the 2003 NCAA Division I softball season. UCLA won their tenth [lower-alpha 1] NCAA championship and eleventh overall by defeating California 1–0 in the final game. UCLA pitcher Keira Goerl was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Opening Round
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Northridge | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado State | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Princeton | 7 | Arizona | 10 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Northridge | 7 | Cal State Northridge | 3 | Texas A&M | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado State | 4 | South Carolina | 5 | South Carolina | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | 6 | Boston College | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Princeton | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fresno State | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long Beach State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fresno State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UCLA | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UCLA | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UCLA | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIU Brooklyn | 1 | UCLA | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long Beach State | 1 | Long Beach State | 1 | Michigan State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | 0 | Georgia | Fresno State | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fresno State | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fresno State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 105 | North Carolina | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| LIU Brooklyn | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas State | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas State | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee Tech | 1 | Texas | 6 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas State | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hawaii | 2 | Hawaii | 111 | Texas State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | 0 | Hawaii | 4 | Hawaii | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona State | 6 | Arizona State | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee Tech | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| South Florida | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida Atlantic | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Florida | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bethune–Cookman | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas–Arlington | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas–Arlington | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas–Arlington | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida State | 0 | Oklahoma | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida Atlantic | 211 | Florida Atlantic | 2 | Texas–Arlington | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bethune–Cookman | 1 | Florida Atlantic | 3 | Oregon State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Florida | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon State | 2 | Oregon State | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida State | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIU | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Creighton | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hofstra | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hofstra | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | 1 | Washington | 115 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Hofstra | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIU | 1 | Creighton | 0 | Iowa | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Creighton | 3 | Hofstra | 0 | Nebraska | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | 7 | Nebraska | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Nebraska | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana–Lafayette | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana–Lafayette | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Fullerton | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Fullerton | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rider | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisiana–Lafayette | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn State | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma State | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston University | 0 | Louisiana–Lafayette | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 9 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oregon | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego State | 2 | San Diego State | 1 | Oklahoma State | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rider | 1 | Oregon | 2 | Oregon | 712 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Fullerton | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cal State Fullerton | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn State | 7 | Penn State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston University | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Notre Dame | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notre Dame | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| DePaul | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| DePaul | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wright State | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| DePaul | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Michigan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oakland | 0 | California | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | 1 | Wright State | 0 | DePaul | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wright State | 3 | Michigan | 5 | Michigan | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Notre Dame | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notre Dame | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Michigan | 3 | Oakland | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oakland | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Illinois | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Illinois | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UMass | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Illinois | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stanford | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stanford | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chattanooga | 0 | Alabama | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Illinois | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stanford | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 95 | Georgia Tech | 1 | Southern Illinois | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Southern | 0 | Georgia Tech | 0 | UMass | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| UMass | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| UMass | 3 | UMass | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chattanooga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Conference | Record | Head coach | WCWS appearances† (Including 2003 WCWS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Pac-10 | 56-7 | Mike Candrea | 16 |
| Alabama | SEC | 49-21 | Patrick Murphy | 2 |
| California | Pac-10 | 49-20 | Diane Ninemire | 9 |
| Louisiana–Lafayette | Sun Belt | 47-11 | Michael Lotief | 4 |
| Oklahoma | Big 12 | 47-14 | Patty Gasso | 4 |
| Texas | Big 12 | 47-9 | Connie Clark | 2 |
| UCLA | Pac-10 | 53-7 | Sue Enquist | 20* |
| Washington | Pac-10 | 47-16-1 | Teresa Wilson | 6 |
*: Excludes UCLA's vacated 1995 WCWS participation.
†: Excludes results of the pre-NCAA Women's College World Series of 1969 through 1981.
| First round | Second round | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Arizona | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Alabama | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Arizona | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Washington | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Oklahoma | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Washington | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Arizona | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | California | 212 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Alabama | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Oklahoma | 69 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Oklahoma | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | California | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | California | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCLA | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Louisiana–Lafayette | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | California | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | California | 710 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCLA | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCLA | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCLA | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCLA | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Washington | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/22/2003 | Game 01 | Arizona | 3 - 2 | Alabama | |
| Game 02 | Washington | 3 - 1 | Oklahoma | ||
| Game 03 | Texas | 3 - 2 | Louisiana-Lafayette | ||
| Game 04 | California | 7 - 3 | UCLA | 10 Innings | |
| 5/23/2003 | Game 05 | Arizona | 2 - 1 | Washington | |
| Game 06 | Texas | 1 - 0 | California | ||
| 5/24/2003 | Game 07 | Oklahoma | 6 - 3 | Alabama | 9 Innings Alabama eliminated |
| Game 08 | UCLA | 5 - 1 | Louisiana-Lafayette | Louisiana-Lafayette eliminated | |
| Game 09 | California | 5 - 2 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma eliminated | |
| Game 10 | UCLA | 2 - 1 | Washington | Washington eliminated | |
| 5/25/2003 | Game 11 | California | 2 - 1 | Arizona | 12 Innings. California forces the If Necessary Game (Game 13), and will be designated as the visiting team for that game. |
| Game 12 | UCLA | 3 - 0 | Texas | UCLA forces the If Necessary Game (Game 14), and will be designated as the visiting team for that game. | |
| Game 13 | California | 4 - 1 | Arizona | Arizona eliminated | |
| Game 14 | UCLA | 2 - 1 | Texas | Texas eliminated | |
| 5/26/2003 | Championship game | UCLA | 1 - 0 | California | 9 Innings UCLA Wins 2003 WCWS |
| School | Top Batter | Stats. |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Toria Auelua (DP) | 2-4 RBI K |
| California | Veronica Nelson (1B) | 3BBs |
| School | Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | AB | BF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Keira Goerl (W) | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 32 |
| California | Kelly Anderson (L) | 9.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 37 |
The following players were members of the All-Tournament Team:
| Position | Player | Class | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Kelly Anderson | Sophomore | California |
| Alicia Hollowell | Freshman | Arizona | |
| Cat Osterman | Sophomore | Texas | |
| 1st Base | Veronica Nelson | Senior | California |
| Shortstop | Lovie Jung | Senior | Arizona |
| Chelsea Spencer | Sophomore | California | |
| Natasha Watley | Senior | UCLA | |
| 3rd Base | Vicky Galindo | Sophomore | California |
| Tairia Mims | Senior | UCLA | |
| Outfield | Tamara Poppe | Junior | Texas |
| Designated Player | Jennifer Stump | Senior | Oklahoma |
| Most Outstanding Player | Keira Goerl | Junior | UCLA |
The Women's College World Series (WCWS) is the final portion of the NCAA Division I softball tournament for college softball in the United States. Eight teams participate in the WCWS, which begins with a double-elimination tournament. In other words, a team is eliminated when it has lost two games. After six teams have been eliminated, the remaining two teams compete in a best-of-three series to determine the Division I WCWS National Champion.
The 2007 NCAA Division I softball tournament was held from May 17 through June 4, 2007. 64 NCAA Division I college softball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament culminated with eight teams playing in the Women's College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 2008 NCAA Division I softball tournament was held from May 15 through June 4, 2008. 64 NCAA Division I college softball teams met after having played their way through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament, to play in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament culminated with eight teams playing in the 2008 Women's College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 2009 NCAA Division I softball tournament was held from May 15 through June 3, 2009 as part of the 2009 NCAA Division I softball season. The 64 NCAA Division I college softball teams were selected out of an eligible 284 teams on May 10, 2009. 30 teams were awarded an automatic bid as champions of their conference, and 34 teams were selected at-large by the NCAA Division I Softball Selection Committee. The tournament culminated with eight teams playing in the 2009 Women's College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 1985 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the fourth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1985, sixteen Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of two teams with the winner of each region advancing to the 1985 Women's College World Series at Seymour Smith Park in Omaha, Nebraska. The event held from May 22 through May 26 marked the conclusion of the 1985 NCAA Division I softball season. UCLA won the championship by defeating Nebraska 2–1 in the final game. Nebraska's appearance was later vacated due to NCAA infractions.
The 1989 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the eighth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1989, twenty Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of either two or three teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1989 Women's College World Series was held in Sunnyvale, California from May 24 through May 28 and marked the conclusion of the 1989 NCAA Division I softball season. For the second consecutive year, UCLA won the championship by defeating Fresno State 1–0 in the final game.
The 1990 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the ninth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1990, twenty Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of either two or three teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1990 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 23 through May 28 and marked the conclusion of the 1990 NCAA Division I softball season. For the third consecutive year, UCLA won the championship by defeating Fresno State 2–0 in the final game.
The 1991 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the tenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1991, twenty Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of either two or three teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1991 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 23 through May 26 and marked the conclusion of the 1991 NCAA Division I softball season. Arizona won their first championship by defeating three-time defending champions UCLA 5–1 in the final game.
The 1993 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twelfth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1993, twenty Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of either two or three teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1993 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 27 through May 31 and marked the conclusion of the 1993 NCAA Division I softball season. Arizona won their second championship by defeating defending champions UCLA 1–0 in the final game.
The 1994 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the thirteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1994, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1994 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 26 through May 30 and marked the conclusion of the 1994 NCAA Division I softball season. Arizona won their third championship, and second consecutive, by defeating Cal State Northridge 4–0 in the final game. It was the first final game since 1986 to not feature UCLA.
The 1995 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the fourteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1995, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1995 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 25 through May 29 and marked the conclusion of the 1995 NCAA Division I softball season. UCLA won their eighth NCAA championship, and ninth overall, by defeating Arizona 4–2 in the final game. UCLA pitcher Tanya Harding was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player, the first time the honor was awarded by the NCAA. The Bruins' participation and championship were later vacated by the NCAA.
The 1996 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the fifteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1996, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1996 Women's College World Series was held in Columbus, Georgia from May 23 through May 27 and marked the conclusion of the 1996 NCAA Division I softball season. This marked the last time that the Women's College World Series was held in a city other than Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and previewed Golden Park's hosting of softball events for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Arizona won their fourth NCAA championship by defeating Washington 6–4 in the final game. Arizona second baseman Jenny Dalton was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 1997 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the sixteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1997, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1997 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 22 through May 26 and marked the conclusion of the 1997 NCAA Division I softball season. The event returned to Oklahoma City after a one-year hiatus, and it has remained there ever since. Arizona won their fifth NCAA championship by defeating UCLA 10–2 in the final game. Arizona pitcher Nancy Evans was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 1998 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the seventeenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1998, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1998 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 21 through May 25 and marked the conclusion of the 1998 NCAA Division I softball season. Fresno State won their first NCAA championship by defeating Arizona 1–0 in the final game. Fresno State pitcher Amanda Scott was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 1999 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the eighteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1999, forty-eight Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of six teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1999 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 25 through May 31 and marked the conclusion of the 1999 NCAA Division I softball season. UCLA won their ninth NCAA championship and tenth overall by defeating Washington 3–2 in the final game. It was the first final game since 1990 to not feature Arizona. UCLA infielder Julie Adams was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 2001 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twentieth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 2001, forty-eight Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of six teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2001 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 24 through May 28 and marked the conclusion of the 2001 NCAA Division I softball season. Arizona won their sixth NCAA championship by defeating UCLA 1–0 in the final game. Arizona pitcher Jennie Finch was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 2002 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twenty-first annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 2002, forty-eight Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of six teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2002 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 23 through May 27 and marked the conclusion of the 2002 NCAA Division I softball season. California won their first NCAA championship by defeating Arizona 6–0 in the final game. California pitcher Jocelyn Forest was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 2004 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twenty-third annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 2004, sixty-four Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of eight teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2004 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from May 27 through May 31 and marked the conclusion of the 2004 NCAA Division I softball season. UCLA won their eleventh NCAA championship and twelfth overall by defeating California 3–1 in the final game. LSU pitcher Kristin Schmidt was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 2005 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twenty-fourth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May and June 2005, sixty-four Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of eight teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2005 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from June 2 through June 8 and marked the conclusion of the 2005 NCAA Division I softball season. Michigan won their first championship by defeating UCLA two games to one in the championship series. Michigan first baseman Samantha Findlay was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The 2006 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the twenty-fifth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May and June 2006, sixty-four Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of eight teams, each in a double elimination format. The 2006 Women's College World Series was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from June 1 through June 6 and marked the conclusion of the 2006 NCAA Division I softball season. Arizona won their seventh championship by defeating Northwestern two games to none in the championship series. Arizona pitcher Alicia Hollowell was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.